Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider to maintain and service five hot water vessels (calorifiers) at St Apollinaris Hospital. The goal is to ensure a reliable, safe, and continuous supply of hot water for patient care and daily hospital operations through scheduled maintenance, component replacement, and thorough inspections.

Scope of Work

The successful bidder will service five calorifiers with specified capacities (two 3000L, one 1500L, and two 1000L units). The scope includes:

• Replacing flange gaskets on the steam bundle for each calorifier.
• Inspecting and repairing cylinder lagging and cladding.
• Detecting and addressing water leaks across all fittings, flanges, and connections.
• Verifying temperature controls and inspecting air vents.
• Cleaning and inspecting steam traps, strainers, and sight glasses.
• Testing safety valves and pressure release mechanisms.
• Removing inspection covers to assess internal components, descaling, and treating corrosion.
• Pressure testing steam bundles and checking overall valve conditions.
• Cleaning, removing loose paint/rust/scale, and repainting surfaces as required.
• Completing and submitting a detailed service report/job card alongside the final invoice.

Technical Requirements

• Registration & Grading: Bidders must hold a minimum CIDB grading of 1ME for mechanical/electrical works.
• Experience: Submission of two completion certificates proving prior experience servicing similar equipment in the public sector.
• Compliance & Standards: All work must adhere to SABS/SANS standards. Contractors must be registered on the Central Suppliers Database (CSD), possess valid tax clearance, and submit BBBEE certificates, reference letters, and sworn statements.
• Warranty: A minimum six-month warranty must be provided for all labour and replaced components.
• Evaluation Framework: The tender utilises an 80/20 preference point system (80 points for price, 20 points for specific socio-economic goals favouring KwaZulu-Natal enterprises).
• Contract Terms: Once-off contract with a 90-day quotation validity period. Late or incomplete submissions will be disqualified.

Skills Requirements

While not explicitly itemised, the technical scope necessitates certified technicians with proven expertise in industrial boiler and hot water vessel maintenance. Required competencies include pressure testing, thermal insulation repair, corrosion control, descaling, leak detection, safety valve calibration, and compliance documentation. Familiarity with healthcare infrastructure maintenance is strongly preferred due to the critical need for uninterrupted hot water supply in clinical environments.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Calorifier: An insulated hot water storage vessel heated by steam or electricity, critical for maintaining consistent water temperatures in medical facilities.
• CIDB 1ME: The Construction Industry Development Board’s minimum grading for mechanical and electrical construction services, indicating foundational competency in plant, piping, and vessel maintenance.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A South African public procurement framework where 80% of evaluation criteria focus on cost competitiveness, while 20% reward socio-economic development goals, specifically targeting provincial enterprise promotion in this tender.
• Flange Gasket & Steam Bundle: Essential sealing and heat-transfer components within the vessel. Replacing these ensures efficient steam heating, maintains pressure integrity, and prevents hazardous leaks.